2008 Woodie Awards
Marist men's swimming and diving honors six seniors, dominates Owls
Greg Hrinya
Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: Sports
The Marist Red Fox swimming and diving team continued to build on a stellar season when they beat Southern Connecticut State University on Saturday 137-90.
The victory was even more special because six seniors were honored prior to the meet on Senior Day. Nick Chevalier, Pat Collins, Dan Garaffa, Will Shearouse, Matt Walsh, and Brandon Youse were all celebrated for their accomplishments and contributions to Marist swimming.
After the six seniors were honored, Marist rode strong performances from Pat Collins, Brandon Youse, and Devon O'Nalty to reach 9-0 on the season.
Pat Collins was a multiple winner on Saturday and he swam his fastest times of the season at the McCann Center. He recorded victories in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle in times of 21.36 and 46.82, respectively. Collins was also a member of the group swimming the 400-yard medley relay, which opened the meet with a win in 3:37.18. Dan Garaffa, Mark Esolen, and Nick Chevalier finished out the group that got the Red Foxes off to a fast start.
Head coach Larry VanWagner said that Collins has been one of the team's best swimmers and that he took the road less traveled to reach success in this program.
"Pat Collins was a walk on, non-scholarship athlete when he came here four years ago," VanWagner said. "He then contracted mono during his first two weeks, and I wasn't sure he would ever swim again on the team. He has taken a journey in four seasons to get from where he was to MAAC champion."
Brandon Youse went on to win the 200-yard Individual Medley in a time of 1:59.15 while Devon O'Nalty won the 3-meter dive and the 1-meter dive with scores of 254.33 and 241.65, respectively.
The most satisfying part of the victory for the Red Foxes was the way the team was able to win the meet for its six seniors.
Coach VanWagner said this senior class has been instrumental to the team's success and the team would not be where it is today without them.
The victory was even more special because six seniors were honored prior to the meet on Senior Day. Nick Chevalier, Pat Collins, Dan Garaffa, Will Shearouse, Matt Walsh, and Brandon Youse were all celebrated for their accomplishments and contributions to Marist swimming.
After the six seniors were honored, Marist rode strong performances from Pat Collins, Brandon Youse, and Devon O'Nalty to reach 9-0 on the season.
Pat Collins was a multiple winner on Saturday and he swam his fastest times of the season at the McCann Center. He recorded victories in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle in times of 21.36 and 46.82, respectively. Collins was also a member of the group swimming the 400-yard medley relay, which opened the meet with a win in 3:37.18. Dan Garaffa, Mark Esolen, and Nick Chevalier finished out the group that got the Red Foxes off to a fast start.
Head coach Larry VanWagner said that Collins has been one of the team's best swimmers and that he took the road less traveled to reach success in this program.
"Pat Collins was a walk on, non-scholarship athlete when he came here four years ago," VanWagner said. "He then contracted mono during his first two weeks, and I wasn't sure he would ever swim again on the team. He has taken a journey in four seasons to get from where he was to MAAC champion."
Brandon Youse went on to win the 200-yard Individual Medley in a time of 1:59.15 while Devon O'Nalty won the 3-meter dive and the 1-meter dive with scores of 254.33 and 241.65, respectively.
The most satisfying part of the victory for the Red Foxes was the way the team was able to win the meet for its six seniors.
Coach VanWagner said this senior class has been instrumental to the team's success and the team would not be where it is today without them.
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